This decision follows by the cabinet committee on security (CCS) which felt that in view of the national and Strategic needs the government will not be able to provide orbit slot in S band to Antrix for commercial activities. This includes its existing contractual obligations. Briefing newsmen in here, Law Minister Mr.Veerappa Moily said that the Cabinet Committee on security took note of the fact that government policies with regard to allocation of spectrum has undergone a change and there has been increased demand for needs of defence, Para military forces, railways and public utility services.
Replying a series of questions Mr. Moily said that the government is confident of standing the legal scrutiny of its decision and all these aspects have been taken into consideration before taking a final call on the issue. He made it clear that the Chaturvedi Committee will continue its probe the different aspects of spectrum allocation by Antrix and submit its report. The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh yesterday said that a final decision on the issue will be taken by the CCS after ISRO recommended the scrapping of the deal in July last year.
In a related development, Defence Minister, A. K. Antony said that the exact financial obligations, if any, following the annulment of Antrix-Devas S-Spectrum deal will be known in two to three weeks’ time. Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of a function here, the Defence Minister said that the contract had to be scrapped as the scarce spectrum was needed by the strategic organisations like Defence Forces and others.
Meanwhile The BJP sought to know the reasons for signing the Antrix-Devas deal in the first place and as to why it took so long to scrap it. BJP spokesperson Nirmala Seetharaman said here that the people of the country should clearly understand why it took several months for the government to scrap the deal despite Space Commission’s recommendation to do so. She was reacting to the decision by the Cabinet Committee on Security to annul the deal on the basis of a recommendation from the Space Commission.